Living Better is a new initiative which aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people with diabetes and chronic heart disease. It is funded by the Scottish Government and will run from January 2008 to November 2010.

Why this focus?

Research indicates that approximately one in three patients with diabetes and one in five patients with coronary heart disease experience depression. There is evidence that providing treatment and support for depression and other mental health problems can bring a range of physical and psychological benefits for this patient group, including improved glaecemic control.

However, levels of detection and treatment for mental health problems within primary care are not high, and it is estimated that 50% of people with mental health problems go undiagnosed. Furthermore treatment for patients with long term conditions and mental health problems can be complex, and best practice is not universally understood.

What will Living Better do?

Living Better will start from the position that patients with diabetes and / or CHD deserve a holistic assessment of their needs (mental and physical), matched by appropriate services to meet these needs.

In order to achieve this the project team will work with GPs, Community Health Partnerships, patients and carers to improve the detection of mental health problems in people with CHD and / or diabetes and improve the support that they receive for these problems.

Participating areas will have access to a range of resources to help them enhance support for this patient group, including training and learning opportunities, partnership development, advice on best practice, and research and evaluation.

We will work to ensure that responses reflect patient choices, and that learning from the project is shared within local areas and across Scotland as a whole.

Where will Living Better operate?

The project will focus on 6 pilot sites, where a range of activities will be developed. Details of these pilot sites will be posted on this website in the coming months.

Activities will include detailed assessments of patient and carer needs and work with GPs and other health professionals to develop new and improved support for patients.

Individuals and professionals out with the participating areas will be able to tap into research and learning arising from the project.

Contact details

Amy Woodhouse, Living Better Project Officer
amy@sdcmh.org.uk

0131 555 5959

Who is Living Better?

Living Better is led by the Royal College of GPs, in partnership with the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health and the University of Stirling. Other partners in the project include Diabetes UK Scotland, British Heart Foundation and Depression Alliance Scotland. The project is funded by the Scottish Government.